British telecommunications company, Vodafone, is working towards extending the range of its 4G and 5G networks in Europe and Africa by linking with Amazon’s Project Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite constellation.
While Amazon has not deployed Project Kuiper’s satellite group yet, the American technology company is looking to test two prototype satellites in the coming months. Actual production satellites have been scheduled for a deployment in 2024.
Project Kuiper makes use of high-bandwidth, low-latency satellites, which would be used to connect mobile base stations in remote locations to its core networks. This will eliminate the need for fibre-based or fixed wireless links.
Vodafone’s CEO, Margherita Della Valle, and Amazon’s senior vice president, Dave Limp, both believe that the partnership will benefit their customers. Mr Limp stated that customers would “get the most value from expanded connectivity, particularly in areas like residential broadband, agriculture, education, healthcare, transportation and financial services”.
Ms. Valle added that Vodafone was also working with AST SpaceMobile to develop a space-based mobile network that would be able to connect with standard smartphones without relying on special equipment. Vodafone’s partnership with Amazon would therefore complement the current work with AST SpaceMobile.
Vodafone and Amazon have both stated that Project Kuiper’s high-speed broadband services will be see use in underdeveloped communities worldwide. The satellite constellation will also offer back-up service connections to businesses.
Though it is yet to be deployed, Project Kuiper already has a list of rivals. It will be competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink, and broadband internet service, OneWeb. Musk’s Starlink has also been working to provide internet connections to rural areas, teaming up with Spanish telecommunications operator, Telefonica, last month.
